2010 marked the sixteenth time that the Ukrainian Canadian community of Saskatchewan, under the auspices of the UCC-SPC, celebrated the accomplishments and meritorious contributions of some of its notable citizens through the Nation Builders & Community Recognition Awards.
This year's awards presentation luncheon took place on Sunday, November 14th at a luncheon at the Delta Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon.
Nation Builders Awards are presented to persons who have made meritorious contributions, which have had a significant impact; left a legacy; and/or provided an exemplary role model to the Ukrainian community and/or Saskatchewan-Canada. At the annual event two Yorkton residents were recognized.
For Leadership / Volunteerism
Garry Gawryliuk was born in 1956 in Theodore, Saskatchewan. His Ukrainian parents, John and Bella (Bilan), were of Ukrainian Orthodox faith with their foundation based upon hard work, perseverance and family tradition. This was the backbone of Garry's upbringing on the family farm. After attending school in Theodore, Garry received his Bachelor of Education from the U of S in 1979 and his Bachelor of Arts in 1983.
Garry taught school in Rose Valley, Foam Lake and in 1985 accepted a position at the Yorkton Regional High School. Through his educational journey, Garry taught classes ranging from English, Math, Agriculture and Ukrainian. The job description may have changed over the years with Garry being SRC advisor for the past thirteen years, but one thing remains constant throughout this time and that is his devotion and dedication to the students. His portfolio includes career counselling, personal counselling, and scholarship résumé preparation. He is formally trained in suicide intervention (ASIST), Threat Risk Assessment and is part of the Traumatic Response Team. Perhaps one of his greatest achievements was continuing and integrating student exchange programs nurturing young leaders through SEVEC and Heritage Canada Programs.
His expertise has been utilized on numerous boards: Head Clinician with the Saskatchewan Hockey Association; education co-ordinator for three hockey teams, Yorkton Terriers, Melville Millionaires, and Yorkton Harvest of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame, and the Saskatchewan Amateur Wrestling Association.
Garry is president of St. John's Orthodox Church near Theodore where he has taken on an active role in restoring the church, the hall and the cemetery. He also holds a membership at the Ukrainian Holy Transfiguration Church in Yorkton. For the past ten years, Garry has taken a keen interest in helping families who have arrived from Ukraine.
He has helped students integrate into the education system and has helped their parents get accustomed to Canadian culture.
Garry's awards include the prestigious Agriculture Ambassador Award from the Regina Agribition Association, the Bronze Maple Leaf Award from the Saskatchewan Amateur Wrestling Association, Saskatchewan Student Advisor of the Year, Yorkton Terrier Volunteer of the Year, Saskatchewan Centennial Medal award and most recently he was inducted into the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame.
Garry and his wife Dianne (Lysak) reside in Yorkton, where he continues to be involved in the community.
For Cultural Preservation & Development
Eugene Hnatiuk Eugene was born in 1933 to Dmetro and Mary (Kulikowich) in the Goodeve District. His education began at Crescent Bluff and Goodeve Schools. After attending Tuxedo Teachers' College in Winnipeg, he taught schools in Kitsul, Drumague and at Cork Cliff near Winnipegosis. Upon completion of his Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Saskatchewan (1960), he took the position of principal at Hubbard School and in 1965 continued his teaching career at St. Joseph's College in Yorkton until his retirement in 1988. In 2000, Eugene helped to compile an Alumni Book for the celebration of St. Joseph's College Reunion for years 1909-2003.
Church, the Ukrainian language, Liturgy and the Eastern Rite traditions are paramount of interest to Eugene. He started the first Sadochok and Ridna Shkola at St. Mary's. Later he taught Adult Ukrainian classes. As a director of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Choir for 33 years, many hours were spent in preparation for the four-voice repertoires. Under Eugene's direction, the choir appeared and sang on CKOS-TV numerous times and produced Ukrainian Christmas Carol programming on CJGX radio for over fifteen years. Music and performances were also shared with the residents in the Yorkton Nursing Home and churches in the area.
Eugene conducted the choirs that sang at four Ordinations to the Priesthood.
Other activities at St. Mary's have included President of the Parish and program chairman of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada, St. Vladimir Branch. He is an honorary member of Fr. Delaere Knights of Columbus #5182 and is an original member of Brother Isidore Scholarship Committee. For over twenty years, Eugene was on the Board of Directors of St. Mary's Cultural Centre. He was instrumental in setting up the constitution for the first parish council for St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Eugene has been involved in the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Yorkton Branch since it was first established. In 1988, he co-chaired the planning of the Millennium Celebrations.
For over thirty years, Eugene conducted a joint Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox choir that performed at annual events such as Shevchenko Concerts and the Celebration of Ukraine's Independence. Eugene also scripted and produced a program for Obzhynky (Harvest Festival). More recently Eugene has been involved with assisting new Ukrainian families in the Yorkton area.
Eugene is married to Violet (Kerunsky). They have two children, Stacy and Shannon, and six grandchildren.
